Stewart Puts Finishing Touches On 2009 Class

Darren Stewart

6-4, 200LB SF

Monsignor Pace

Miami, FL

Above The Rim

Food:           Shrimp Pasta

Peeves:        Chewing with the mouth open

Model:          Parents

Playing:        Seven years

Pride:           Scholarship at FAU

Considered:   FSU, SMU, UNF, Charleston Southern

Faith:           Christian

Principle:       Leadership

FAU Head Coach Mike Jarvis and his staff have been methodically assembling this upcoming season's recruiting class with poised specifics in mind:  a highly skilled and talented player at every position. Jarvis believes this has been accomplished. "As good a class I have ever been part of recruiting and that includes some pretty good classes at Boston University, George Washington and St. John's".

The roster for a championship run sometime in the near future is apparently complete; only lacking time to mature and form needed chemistry to make the next post-season run.

Since the departure of Brent Crews back in 2006-2007, FAU coaches have sorely missed the presence of a player on the roster who had the cherished skill set of a defensive specialist.  Someone they could stick on the other team's best scorer, at the point guard through small forward position, and count on to shut them down.

Jarvis seems to have found his man in the last signee of the 2009 class with the recent addition of Darren Stewart, a combination guard/forward, out of Miami's Monsignor Pace High School.  "He plays defense with reckless abandonment", said Jarvis in regards to Stewart's defensive prowess.  Stewart averaged nearly four steals a game last season for Pace.

While he may be known as a tenacious "lock-down" defender, Stewart also has a compliment of other skills including the ability to slash to the basket, and knock to down the long ball. Ready to meet the defensive challenge presented to him, he says he is "ready to set records".

Like all of the other signees, Stewart was impressed by Jarvis' character: "He's a man of Faith. He's not the type to jump ship on any body.  He cares about what you have to say.  He's a real good teacher.  Can make you a better player.  Really nice.  Every time we talked on the phone, every time we met in person, that's what I noticed about him."

Stewart says he loves to compete and was recruited by the FAU staff for that trait.  He hopes that this trait will set an example for the rest of the team from a leadership perspective - as he is self described as an "intense and vocal presence" while on the floor.

Planning to become a Pharmacist, he has academics as his first and foremost priority.  "I would love to play in the NBA, but student-athlete comes first.  Basketball may not be here forever.  Academics come first." 

With the class being talented across the board, he was not alone in having played against some of the best high school competition local areas had to offer last year. He went up against Sunshine State signees Ray Taylor, in regular games, and Greg Gantt during camp sessions, and likes the class FAU has coming in: "We have a very good class coming in. Raymond's a very good point guard.  Greg is like one of the best shooters I have ever seen.  Jordan, he's a ferocious rebounder.  I'm really liking my class right now."

Prior to signing day, Stewart had the opportunity to enjoy Spring Break in Jamaica.  For him, it was quality time well spent.  "Unbelievable.  My family is from there you know, so I love going there. I've been there a lot. It's like a homecoming."

We hope he enjoys his new found family and friends at Florida Atlantic as well.

Welcome aboard.